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Thursday, October 28, 2004

Author: Debbie Dadey

How many times have I been asked, "Where are the Bailey School Kids books?" Too many to count.
Answer: FIC DAD
This series is a perfect fit with elementary school kids. Readers from grades 2 and up LOVE these stories. It is one of those book series that make kids want to read every single title. I love series books because series readers become life long readers.

Adam Benson of the La Junta Tribune-Democrat describes a author visit at La Junta Intermediate School. Dadey describes how she began writing her series.

Every day for a year and a half, Dadey - then a teacher in Kentucky - and [Marcia] Thorton would draft stories at a lunch table before finding success with "Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots," the first of what would be some 50 books in "The School Kids" series.

"I was so excited when I got a call from an editor in New York City telling us they wanted to publish our story that I danced on the table top of my library," Dadey said.

That book went on to sell more than 250,000 copies and kicked off Dadey's new career as a writer.

In addition to visiting with the students she gave them advice on writing.

"It's a lot harder than you think it is" to write children's books, Dadey said.

Dadey also encouraged the students to read their stories aloud to get a better feel for flow and structure.

"It's a simple trick that's guaranteed to make your story better," she said.
Planning is also a key ingredient, the author says.

"When I write a story, I actually do plan it out. I outline every chapter before I start writing," she said.

1 comment:

Thanks so much for including me on your website. The best compliment is that I've helped reluctant readers love reading! Bailey School Kids fans may be interested in knowing there is a new Bailey School series. It's a prequel called The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids Junior Chapter book. Take care, Debbie Dadey